Execution of Meysam Chandani, a Baloch political prisoner, after 11 years

The Hengaw Human Rights Organization reported on Saturday, November 11, the execution of Meysam Chandani, a Baloch political prisoner, in Zahedan prison. According to the report, this Baloch political prisoner was arrested by the Intelligence Department of Sistan and Baluchestan in September 2011 and was held in 'temporary detention' for one year. The news website Hal Vash wrote that during his one-year detention in the Intelligence Department's detention center in Zahedan, he was 'severely tortured' and 'forced confessions' were obtained from him. The Hengaw Organization also described the trial process of this Baloch political prisoner as 'opaque, unjust, and illegal.' He was sentenced to death on charges including 'acting against national security,' 'membership in opposition groups to the Islamic Republic of Iran (Jundallah),' and 'moharebeh through armed action.' This political prisoner was transferred to solitary confinement last Wednesday for the execution of his sentence. The increase in executions by the Islamic Republic has been met with serious concern and criticism from human rights organizations and activists worldwide. Previously, the Secretary-General of the United Nations announced in his latest report to the UN General Assembly that the Islamic Republic 'executes at an alarming rate,' with a 30% increase in executions in the first seven months of this year compared to the same period last year. The Iran Human Rights Organization has also reported that more than 600 people have been executed by the Islamic Republic this year, the highest number in the past eight years.